About You

Tell us about yourself

I work for biotechnology company, as a salesperson and over the years have a developed a keen interest in science and technology. I believe a good science education is critically important for young people’s future prospects.

I have also helped to run a successful small business for a number of years, which has always driven me to not only to provide value for money, but to challenge others to do the same.

To relax I listen to a wide variety of music or watch sport (football, rugby or cricket mainly) in the local pub with a pint of real ale.

What are the biggest issues in your ward?

Traffic and parking issues are the most widespread across the ward, whether it is Fishguard Road and Everest Avenue being used as rat-runs, the needless road-narrowings on Heol Hir causing congestion or problem parking on Ashbourn Way. This is already a huge concern for many residents and I am worried this will only get worse as the LDP is completed. Potholes are also mentioned on practically every doorstop, I want a different approach to the rag-tag patching we have seen over the last few years, with proper road resurfacing.

In addition I am concerned regarding the lack of maintenance of the green spaces, there are multiple footpaths and lanes that are overgrown, particularly near the Pendragon pub.

What’s your favourite place in Cardiff and why?

Sophia Gardens, specifically the SWALEC stadium, because I am huge fan of cricket and if I had the time I would happily spend days of my time there watching all forms of the game.

What do you think should be done to improve engagement in politics?

I think the last couple of years have shown in politics with Scottish Referendum, EU referendum and the clear choice between chaos and competence in the upcoming elections, I think engagement is at its highest in my lifetime. Having lived in Scotland during the referendum campaign I do think we can take lessons from the engagement of young people. Particularly the empowerment to lowering the voting age to 16. I personally think that if someone is able to pay tax, as you are at 16 then you are entitled to a view on how it is spent.

What’s your favourite film?

La Confidential (or any film noir).

If You’re Elected

What will you do to improve your ward?

We will remove the Heol Hir road narrowings, to alleviate congestion.

We will ensure more parking enforcement occurs in problem spots in Llanishen.

We will ensure the council has an effective plan for the maintenance of our parks and green spaces.

We will set up a local taskforce of community volunteers to conduct regular litter-picks.

How will you communicate with residents in your ward?

We will communicate with our residents through newsletters delivered to the door, through our Facebook page and by speaking face to face at surgeries or by knocking on doors.

What issues that affect the whole city would you like to get involved in?

The planned closure of Wedal road must be stopped, as the north of Cardiff needs a recycling centre of its own. The distance and time it would take to reach the other sites will mean an increase in fly-tipping, which blights our community.

I would also like to speak up regarding the local development plan, as there needs to be a better plan for the infrastructure to accommodate the additional homes, particularly regarding transport infrastructure.

Finally I think the capital of Wales deserves better value for money than the inflation busting rises in council tax, which have been inflicted upon us in recent years.

I am also keen to see the bus station fiasco resolved, I find it astonishing and troubling that the current administration did not have funds in place to build a new bus station before the old one was demolished.

Final Comments

What would you change about Cardiff and why?

I think that Cardiff is a lively and exciting city that I am proud to call home. However it is hampered by poor transport infrastructure, if there was one thing I could change, it would be the train services, I think Cardiff (and the surrounding towns) would benefit greatly from an integrated, modern and frequent metro service.

Any final comments?

If you would like a common sense approach to running the city with a focus on giving residents value for money. Vote for all four Conservative candidates on 4th of May.